Vacuum-aided material collecting and moving system

ABSTRACT

A material moving system has a separation tank for separating loose material entering the tank with a stream of air, from the stream of air, the separation tank comprising an inlet port and a vacuum port and an open lower end, a vacuum generation unit coupled to the vacuum port for evacuating air from the separation tank to create a partial vacuum, and a collection apparatus connected to the inlet port for collecting the loose material in a stream or air pulled into the collection apparatus by virtue of the partial vacuum in the separation tank. The system is characterized in that the separation tank is configured to rest on the ground at the lower extremity, the ground serving to substantially close the open lower extremity, such that the loose material separated falls to the ground within the separation tank.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is in the area of equipment and systems formoving dirt and other material and pertains more particularly to systemsfor collecting debris and moving dirt, gravel and sand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Manufacturers and developers have been active in the field ofequipment for homeowners for performing maintenance tasks around thehome and farm, and many functional systems are commercially available.There are however, problems and unmet needs, and improvement is alwaysdesirable.

[0003] There are a number of problems in the art which have never beenadequately solved, for example, when one digs in the earth for whateverreason, there is always a problem of removing loosened soil from thedeveloping hole. Further materials such as gravel, topsoil, sand and thelike are typically delivered by such as dump trucks, and left in pileson the ground. When one needs to use these materials, they have to beshoveled into a wheelbarrow or other conveyance to be moved and spread

[0004] In light of the state of the art and the shortcomings describedabove, what is clearly needed is a vacuum-aided device that can be usedto remove loosened soil from holes, to load loose materials from theground into conveyances, and to clean up debris loose on the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0005]FIG. 1a is an elevation view of a vacuum-aided material movingsystem according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0006]FIG. 1b is a plan view of the system of FIG. 1a, to betterillustrate some of the details and features of the system.

[0007]FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a tool in use in a hole in theground, as an example of a use for the system of FIG. 1.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a special vacuuming tool forlandscaping use in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another tool useful with theapparatus of the invention in preferred embodiments.

[0010]FIG. 5 illustrates a tool with sled runners at least at the endsin an embodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of yet another tool for use withapparatus according to embodiments of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 7a is an elevation view of a split tank in an embodiment ofthe invention configured so one may place and fill lawn bags withcollected debris.

[0013]FIG. 7b is an elevation view of the tank of FIG. 7a with the upperportion rotated on the hinge assembly to open the tank.

[0014]FIG. 7c is a partial section of the lower portion of the tank ofFIG. 7a in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a system combining a specialwheelbarrow and a collection tank.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a materialmoving system is provided, comprising a separation tank for separatingloose material entering the tank with a stream of air, from the streamof air, the separation tank comprising an inlet port and a vacuum portand an open lower end, a vacuum generation unit coupled to the vacuumport for evacuating air from the separation tank to create a partialvacuum, and a collection apparatus connected to the inlet port forcollecting the loose material in a stream or air pulled into thecollection apparatus by virtue of the partial vacuum in the separationtank. The system is characterized in that the separation tank isconfigured to rest on the ground at the open lower end, the groundserving to substantially close the open lower extremity, such that theloose material separated falls to the ground within the separation tank.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of this system the open lower end iscoupled to a conformal skirt that conforms to the ground, and aids insealing the lower end of the separation tank in use. Also in a preferredembodiment there is a throttle configured for selectively limiting theevacuation rate of the separation tank to limit the size and weight ofloose material that will be entrained with an incoming air stream. Inpreferred embodiments the vacuum generation unit is coupled to thevacuum port by a vacuum line, and the throttle is located in the vacuumline.

[0018] In some preferred embodiments there is a wheeled trolley and ahandle on one side of the separation tank, configured for a user to tipthe tank by the handle onto the wheels of the trolley, to be moved fromone position to another. In some embodiments the vacuum generation unitis a powered centrifugal blower coupled to the vacuum port at the inletto the blower. Also in some embodiments the separation tank has asubstantially circular cross section, and the inlet port enters theseparation tank substantially tangentially, aiding in separation of theloose material from the air stream. In many cases the vacuum port entersthe separation tank substantially at the center of an otherwise closedtop end of the tank. Further, there may be a filter between the tank andthe vacuum generation unit for filtering dust and debris from the airbefore the vacuum generation unit.

[0019] In some embodiments the collection apparatus comprises a tubingsection coupled to a flexible line in turn coupled to the inlet port. Inmany cases the tubing section comprises handles for a user to grasp formanipulation. There may be two linear portions of the tubing sectionjoined at an angle. In some cases the tubing section, at an end oppositethe end coupled to the flexible line, is configured for loosening soilfor ingestion by the tubing section. Also in many cases, the tubingsection ends, opposite the end coupled to the flexible line, in aninterface joinable to any one of several collection nozzles.

[0020] Some available nozzles have rake teeth for loosening soil to becollected by the nozzle. Others have wheels for spacing an inlet portionof the nozzle from a surface, to create space for ingesting air toentrain loose material. Still others have sled runners for spacing aninlet portion of the nozzle from a surface, to create space foringesting air to entrain loose material. Still others have blades forcutting vegetation to be collected by the nozzle.

[0021] In another aspect of the invention a separation tank for amaterial moving system is provided, comprising an upper portionseparable from a lower portion at an interface, the separation tank forseparating loose material entering the tank with a stream of air, fromthe stream of air, the separation tank comprising an inlet portconfigured to couple to one or more collection tools and a vacuum portconfigured to couple to a vacuum source, both ports in the upperportion, characterized in that the lower portion is configured tocontain and retain open a bag, the upper portion sealing to the lowerportion at the interface in a manner that collected and separatedmaterial falls into the bag.

[0022] In preferred embodiments of the tank the upper portion is hingedto the lower portion such that open, the bag is retrievable by a user,the bag holding collected loose material. Also in preferred embodimentsthe lower portion has a bottom, at least one vertical wall, and an upperflange, and the bag is configured to sit in the lower portion with anupper part of the bag folded over the upper flange, such that the upperportion closes on the portion of the bag folded over the upper flange.Still further in preferred embodiments one or both of the bottom and atleast one vertical wall comprise internal channels and openings coupledto a vacuum source in a manner that the pressure between the bottom orwall and the bag is less than the pressure in the separation tank, toretain the bag open in use for material collection.

[0023] In yet another aspect of the invention a material moving systemis provided, comprising a separation tank for separating loose materialentering the tank with a stream of air, from the stream of air, an inletport for coupling to collection tools, a vacuum port for coupling to avacuum source, and an open lower end configured to connect to aninterface to a wheelbarrow in a manner that the vacuum source may createa partial vacuum in the separation tank and the wheelbarrow.

[0024] In embodiments of the invention described in enabling detailbelow, for the first time a material moving system is provided whereinloose material may be efficiently collected and moved without theexcessive use of shovels and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025]FIG. 1 a is an elevation view of a vacuum-aided material movingsystem 101 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,and FIG. 1b is a plan view of the same system. In this embodiment thereare three main parts. A central vacuum tank 103 having an inlet 107 isconnected by a flexible hose 105 to a vacuum tool 102 configured forcollecting debris from the ground (in this example), much like a toolfor a household vacuum sweeper. Vacuum is provided in this embodiment bya stand-alone centrifugal blower 104 connected to tank 103 by aconnector 108 to a suction pipe 109 that enters tank 103 at the centerof the top of the tank. The system is very much like a large,high-powered shop vac, except for some unique features.

[0026] One of the unique features of system 101 is that central vacuumcollection tank 103 is completely open at the bottom. In this embodimenta canvas skirt 111 attaches to a flange 110 at the bottom of tank 103.In this configuration, tank 103 can sit directly on the ground, skirt111 provides a conformal seal to the ground, which may be uneven, soblower 104 can provide vacuum in the tank, and materials vacuumed upthrough tool 102 and entering tank 103 will be deposited on the groundinstead of being collected in the tank as would be the case for a closedtank, as is typical for closed-tank systems in the prior art.

[0027]FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a tool 201 in use in a hole 205 inthe ground, as an example of a use for the system of FIG. 1. Tool 202 isconfigured essentially as a metal tube cut at an angle on end 204 inthis example. Two handles 202 and 203 are affixed to tool 201 for use ingrasping and maneuvering the tool. Handle 202 is vertical and handle 203is horizontal, and a user grasps the tool much as one grasps a scythe.

[0028] In some cases, for example where the earth is soft and loose, thetool may be used to create the hole as well as to remove loose dirt. Theangle cut on the business end of tool 201 aids in this respect, and maybe used in the manner of the edge of a shovel for the purpose. In someembodiments attachments (not shown in FIG. 2) to the business end, suchas rakes and claws, may be used as well. In other cases, other tools maybe used to loosen dirt in the hole, and tool 201 may be used to removethe loosened dirt. In the latter case, for simple removal of otherwiseloosened dirt, the end of tool 201 may be at right angles to the axis ofthe tube. In some embodiments the end of the tube forming the body oftool 201 is reduced in area over the cross-section elsewhere, whichperforms a dual function. Firstly, the size of rocks ore other chunksthat may enter will always be smaller than the diameter of theconveyance (tube and hose) to tank 103, and the entering air velocity atthe end of the tube will be increased, aiding in acquiring debris fortransport.

[0029] In either case above it is not necessary to lift dirt from thehole with a shovel. This operation has particular merit for such asclearing dirt around lateral roots of stumps so the laterals may be cutwith a saw in a stump-removal process.

[0030] The inventor is aware that it is well-known in the art to use avacuum wand to remove dirt from a hole as shown in FIG. 2. A significantand non-obvious difference in the system of FIG. 1 however, is that thedirt removed is deposited directly on the ground because of the openbottom of tank 103. Referring again to FIG. 1, tank 103 has a wheeledtrolley 112 attached to one side of the tank and a handle 113. There isalso in a preferred embodiment a transparent port such as port 115 inFIG. 1 for indicating to a user when collected material has reached sucha height in the tank that the tank should be moved.

[0031] When the user has decided for whatever reason that the collectionat one point for tank 103 is sufficient, such as because the level ofdebris in the tank has reached a maximum, the user may discontinue thecollection operation and move the tank, leaving the pile of dirt ordebris collected on the ground where the tank previously stood. To movethe tank and leave behind a pole of debris or dirt, the user simplygrasps handle 113 and tips the tank up on the wheels of wheeled trolley112, leaving the collected material on the ground. The user then wheelsthe tank to a new position and repeats the process.

[0032] There are some interesting ramifications to the operation justdescribed. Consider, for example, the operation of removing dirt aroundlaterals of a stump so the laterals may be conveniently cut by a chainsaw. If the system described is used, one may pile the removed dirtright beside the hole that the stump will leave when the laterals arecut and the stump is pulled from the hole. The dirt may then nearlyeffortlessly be replaced in the hole. In another aspect, the user mayplace the tank over the hole, if the hole is small enough in diameter,or in the hole in a manner that the canvas skirt can seal, and then usethe tool 201 to collect the dirt from the pile and return it to thehole.

[0033] There are of course many variations of the system shown in FIGS.1 and 2 that may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. For example, the size of tank 103 may vary widely indifferent embodiments. The tank may be made of a variety of materials,such as metal or reinforced plastic, such as fiberglass material.Preferably inlet 107 to the tank enters tank 103 tangentially, as isshown in FIG. 1b. This causes debris to be separated by centrifugalforce, and to fall more readily to the ground. But this entryconfiguration is not limiting.

[0034] In preferred embodiments a filter is used between tank 103 andblower 104 to avoid damaging the blower. The filter may take any one ofseveral forms, such as a folded cylindrical filter as well-known in theart for such as shop vacs and water filters. In this case the filter maybe disposed in the tank, as is done in shop vacs, outside the tank withaccess provided for changing, or somewhere in the suction line to theblower.

[0035] In other embodiments other sorts of filtering material may beused, such as porous panels and the like. Filters may be selected andused according to the kind of material to be moved with the system. Forexample, when moving clean gravel, one may select a very porous filterto maximize vacuum capability for the system.

[0036] Further to the above, blower 104 may be implemented on the tankitself. Stand-alone implementation as shown in FIG. 1 is preferable forlarge and high-powered blowers, however. Still further, flexible line105 from inlet 107 to tool 102 or 201 may take any one of many forms aswell, such as a wire reinforced plastic or rubber hose, a heavy-dutyreinforced canvas hose, a metal flexible tubing, and any one of severalother options.

[0037] Still further a variety of ends elements may be provided fortools 102 or 201. Some have already been described, such as digging aidsas shown in FIG. 2 and vacuuming nozzles as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is aperspective view of a special vacuuming tool 301 made to fit on thebusiness end of tool 102 for landscaping use. Tool 301 has a body 302much like that of a carpet nozzle for a household vacuum, but larger. Insome cases width W will be as much as three feet. There is an attachmentinterface for the tube of a tool 102, which has handles as shown for auser to grasp to maneuver the apparatus. Tool 301 also comprises atleast one row of teeth such as tooth 304, providing a combination rakeand vacuum collection apparatus. In preferred embodiments there is alike row of teeth on the backside of body 302 as shown, and there may beteeth on ends as well, and in some cases more than one row of teethside-by-side.

[0038] A principle of tool 301 is in leveling ground areas. By restingthe teeth on the surface of an area and working the tool back and forthover a larger area, high spots are leveled and excess material iscollected and transferred to tank 103.

[0039]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another tool 401 useful with theapparatus of the invention. Tool 401 has a body 402 and an interface 403equivalent to the similar elements of tool 301 of FIG. 3. Tool 401,however, has no teeth. It has instead a wheeled carriage 404 implementedon each end so a user may apply the tool to surfaces to be cleaned, andthe wheels will keep the tool at a fixed a predetermined height abovethe surface.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5 a tool 501 with abody 502 and an interface 503 has sled runners 504 at least at the ends,and in some cases in the center or other places, to space the tool abovea surface to be swept. The sled runners in many cases are more durablethan wheels and less vulnerable to jamming and damage.

[0041]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of yet another tool 601 for use withapparatus according to embodiments of the invention. Tool 601 hassimilar elements to tools 301, 401 and 501 but also has cutting blades605 implemented under the tool for cutting grass and weeds, which arethen swept away by the vacuum sweeper apparatus into tank 103. Blades asshown preferably run the full length of the tool (Width W of FIG. 3),but may in some embodiments be shorter and staggered. There may be oneor more blades, and the blades may face in either forward or reversedirection, or both.

[0042] There is another unique feature of system 101, which isparticularly useful with surface tools such as those shown in FIGS. 3through 6. This is a throttle valve, or damper, 114 implemented in line109 from tank 103 to blower 104. A user may adjust this throttle to varythe vacuum level in tank 103 to particular conditions and for specialpurposes. One may wish, for example, to collect leaves and trash from agravel driveway. One may adjust throttle 114 such that the system willpick up the leaves and other debris, but not the gravel of the driveway.One may also use this feature to separate gravel and other materialsinto piles of various size aggregates. By adjusting 114 to a low vaclevel for a pile of gravel and stones of various sizes, one may collectonly the smallest, then somewhat larger, and then larger still, and soon.

[0043] A Collector for Filling Trash Bags

[0044] In another aspect of the invention a collector is provided thatfills trash bags. FIG. 7a is an elevation view of a split tank 701configured so one may place and fill lawn bags with collected debris,rather than depositing the debris on the ground as described above. Tank701 has an upper portion 702 and a lower portion 703 joined by a hingeassembly 705. Lower portion 703 is closed on the bottom, unlike tank 103of FIG. 1, but open at the top, having a flange 707. Portion 702 hasmost of the elements described for tank 103, and is open at the bottom,but in most cases foreshortened from the height of tank 103. Portion 702has a flange 706 at its open bottom, matching flange 707 of lowerportion 703.

[0045] Portions 702 sits atop portion 703, joined by hinge assembly 705,with flanges 706 and 707 in contact, providing thereby a closed tank fordrawing a vacuum by action of a blower equivalent to blower 104 of FIG.1, but not shown in FIG. 7a, attaching to suction pipe 709. With theportions joined as shown a tank equivalent to tank 103 of FIG. 1 isprovided, by which one can collect dirt and debris just as describedabove for embodiments using tank 103.

[0046]FIG. 7b is an elevation view of tank 701 of FIG. 7a with the upperportion 702 rotated on hinge assembly 705 to open the tank at theinterface of flanges 706 and 707. By closing damper 704 or by turningoff the blower providing vacuum in the tank, vacuum level is removed inthe tank, and it may be easily opened as shown in FIG. 7b. The skilledartisan will recognize that upper portion 702 may be opened far enoughto rest on the ground, or a support may be provided either separately oras a part of the tank to support the upper portion when opened. Further,the direction of attachment of the inlet and outlet have been changed indirection to allow the flexible connectors to rotate when the tank isopened. Alternatively, the collection tool (102, 201) and the blower(104) may be disconnected to open the tank.

[0047] An object of the openable tank is to allow a lawn or leaf bag tobe placed inside the lower portion, lining the inside of the lowerportion and extending over flange 707, such that the bag is held openwhen upper portion 702 is rotated back upright and the tank is thusclosed. With the tank closed a portion of the lawn or leaf bag (notshown) will be trapped between flanges 706 and 707. In some cases therewill be a resilient sealing element, such as an o-ring, between theflanges when closed to help seal the tank against leaks.

[0048] With the bag in place and the tank closed, vacuum may be drawn onthe tank, and dirt and debris may be collected, which, by falling to thebottom of the tank will fall into the bag. Then when the tank is againopened, a user my grasp the bag and lift it from lower portion 703,close the top of the bag and set it aside to be discarded. An empty bagis then put in place in lower portion 703.

[0049]FIG. 7c is a partial section of lower portion 703 of tank 701 in apreferred embodiment of the present invention. Portion 703 in thisembodiment has a cylindrical side part 710 and a flat bottom part 711.An arrangement of passages 712 are provided throughout the cylindricalside part and the bottom part, all interconnected to a suction port 713which communicates with vacuum pipe 709 (FIG. 7a). The internal passagesopen to the inside of tank portion 703 in a plurality of locations onthe inside wall and bottom. With a bag 714 in place, port 713 andpassages 712 provide a higher vacuum in a volume behind bag 714 than isattainable in the tank generally. This is because vacuum pipe 709 isacted upon directly by blower 104, and evacuates tank 701 through afilter. There is a pressure drop across the filter, and the tank is opento tools 201 or 102, or other tools. The net effect is that a plasticbag 714, or other conformal bag, is held in place against the inside oftank portion 703 in operation. Port 713 may be implemented in a numberof different ways, and will, in most cases, have a flexible line in theconnection to pipe 709, to allow for tank 701 to be opened to removebags of debris and to install empty bags.

[0050]FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a system 801 combining a specialwheelbarrow 803 and a collection tank 802 of the general sort describedin other embodiments above. In this embodiment tank 802 is foreshortenedmuch like the upper portion 702 of the hinged tank 701 described abovewith reference to FIGS. 7a and 7 b. The lower portion in this particularcase is the wheelbarrow itself, which has a top 807 configured to matewith a flange 806 at the lower part of tank 802. In some cases themating of flange 806 to wheelbarrow top 807 is secured by clamps 805,which may be implemented in a number of different ways known in the art.There are an inlet 808, a vacuum line 809, and a throttle valve 804, asin the other embodiments described above.

[0051] System 801 is particularly applicable to loading loose materialsfrom piles on the ground into a wheelbarrow for movement anddistribution at other places. Typically, for example, when one buys ayard of topsoil, or gravel, or sand, the selling party delivers thematerial in a dump truck and dumps it on the ground. Then when the userwants to use the stuff, he/she must load the wheelbarrow with a shovel.With the system of FIG. 8, one may use a hose and tool connected toinlet 808, or just a hose, to ingest the loose material from a pile onthe ground, and to place it in the wheelbarrow. Tank 802 in thisembodiment need not have a relatively large volume, as no material isretained in the tank, and tank 802 serves simply as a separation devicefor separating a stream of loose material from the incoming hose anddrooping it in the wheelbarrow.

[0052] It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that there are avariety of changes that may be made to the embodiments described abovewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, tanks can be implemented in a variety of materials and sizes,and with different combinations of features. Many different sorts oftools may be devised and used with such a vacuum system, and many othervariations may be made. The invention is to be accorded the breadth ofthe claims below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A material moving system, comprising: aseparation tank for separating loose material entering the tank with astream of air, from the stream of air, the separation tank comprising aninlet port and a vacuum port and an open lower end; a vacuum generationunit coupled to the vacuum port for evacuating air from the separationtank to create a partial vacuum; and a collection apparatus connected tothe inlet port for collecting the loose material in a stream or airpulled into the collection apparatus by virtue of the partial vacuum inthe separation tank; characterized in that the separation tank isconfigured to rest on the ground at the open lower end, the groundserving to substantially close the open lower extremity, such that theloose material separated falls to the ground within the separation tank.2. The moving system of claim 1 wherein the open lower end is coupled toa conformal skirt that conforms to the ground, and aids in sealing thelower end of the separation tank in use.
 3. The moving system of claim 1further comprising a throttle configured for selectively limiting theevacuation rate of the separation tank to limit the size and weight ofloose material that will be entrained with an incoming air stream. 4.The moving system of claim 3 wherein the vacuum generation unit iscoupled to the vacuum port by a vacuum line, and the throttle is locatedin the vacuum line.
 5. The moving system of claim 1 further comprising awheeled trolley and a handle on one side of the separation tank,configured for a user to tip the tank by the handle onto the wheels ofthe trolley, to be moved from one position to another.
 6. The movingsystem of claim 1 wherein the vacuum generation unit is a poweredcentrifugal blower coupled to the vacuum port at the inlet to theblower.
 7. The moving system of claim 1 wherein the separation tank hasa substantially circular cross section, and the inlet port enters theseparation tank substantially tangentially, aiding in separation of theloose material from the air stream.
 8. The moving system of claim 7wherein the vacuum port enters the separation tank substantially at thecenter of an otherwise closed top end of the tank.
 9. The moving systemof claim 1 further comprising a filter between the tank and the vacuumgeneration unit for filtering dust and debris from the air before thevacuum generation unit.
 10. The moving system of claim 1 wherein thecollection apparatus comprises a tubing section coupled to a flexibleline in turn coupled to the inlet port.
 11. The moving system of claim10 wherein the tubing section comprises handles for a user to grasp formanipulation.
 12. The moving system of claim 11 wherein the tubingsection has two linear portions joined at an angle.
 13. The movingsystem of claim 10 wherein the tubing section, at an end opposite theend coupled to the flexible line, is configured for loosening soil foringestion by the tubing section.
 14. The moving system of claim 10wherein the tubing section ends, opposite the end coupled to theflexible line, in an interface joinable to any one of several collectionnozzles.
 15. The moving system of claim 14 further comprising a nozzlehaving rake teeth for loosening soil to be collected by the nozzle. 16.The moving system of claim 14 further comprising a nozzle having wheelsfor spacing an inlet portion of the nozzle from a surface, to createspace for ingesting air to entrain loose material.
 17. The moving systemof claim 14 further comprising a nozzle having sled runners for spacingan inlet portion of the nozzle from a surface, to create space foringesting air to entrain loose material.
 18. The moving system of claim14 further comprising a nozzle having blades for cutting vegetation tobe collected by the nozzle.
 19. A separation tank for a material movingsystem, comprising an upper portion separable from a lower portion at aninterface, the separation tank for separating loose material enteringthe tank with a stream of air, from the stream of air, the separationtank comprising an inlet port configured to couple to one or morecollection tools and a vacuum port configured to couple to a vacuumsource, both ports in the upper portion; characterized in that the lowerportion is configured to contain and retain open a bag, the upperportion sealing to the lower portion at the interface in a manner thatcollected and separated material falls into the bag.
 20. The tank ofclaim 19 wherein the upper portion is hinged to the lower portion suchthat open, the bag is retrievable by a user, the bag holding collectedloose material.
 21. The tank of claim 19 wherein the lower portion has abottom, at least one vertical wall, and an upper flange, and the bag isconfigured to sit in the lower portion with an upper part of the bagfolded over the upper flange, such that the upper portion closes on theportion of the bag folded over the upper flange.
 22. The tank of claim21 wherein one or both of the bottom and at least one vertical wallcomprise internal channels and openings coupled to a vacuum source in amanner that the pressure between the bottom or wall and the bag is lessthan the pressure in the separation tank, to retain the bag open in usefor material collection.
 23. A material moving system, comprising: aseparation tank for separating loose material entering the tank with astream of air, from the stream of air; an inlet port for coupling tocollection tools; a vacuum port for coupling to a vacuum source; and anopen lower end configured to connect to an interface to a wheelbarrow ina manner that the vacuum source may create a partial vacuum in theseparation tank and the wheelbarrow.